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Vaccines can protect you and your community from severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccines are available at no cost to you and regardless of immigration status.
Vaccination is safer than risking illness and long-term health effects from COVID-19. Even people who have had COVID-19 should get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines are available for children ages 6 months and older.
The vaccines will help your child develop immunity and provide them with protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Children may experience similar side effects of vaccination as adults, with usually mild effects lasting one to two days.
The more contagious variants of COVID-19 that have been spreading have caused some children to get sick, be hospitalized and die. The best way to protect your child is to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.
Children younger than 5 years should get the same vaccine for their second (and third) doses of their primary series as they received for their first dose. They will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after either their third Pfizer dose or second Moderna dose.
A parent or guardian must provide consent for their child to be vaccinated in person, by phone or in writing, depending on the vaccination site. They will not need to provide proof they are the child's parent or guardian.
Children ages 15 and younger should be accompanied to the vaccination site by a parent or guardian, or another adult caregiver designated by the parent or guardian.
Vaccine boosters are recommended for everyone 5 and older. These shots increase your immunity from an initial vaccination series.
Anyone who received a second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago, should get a booster.
If you recently had COVID-19, you can wait to get a booster until 90 days after you first felt symptoms, or, if you had no symptoms, 90 days after your test date.
If you are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 or of getting COVID-19 again, it may be better to get a booster as soon as you are eligible. Talk to your provider about when you should get your next vaccine.
The Health Department recommends you get either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for your booster.
The CDC recommends a second booster dose for all people who are 50 or older, 12 or older and moderately or severely immunocompromised, or 18 or older and have received a primary dose and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
If you are eligible, you should get your second booster four months after your first. The second booster must be either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
If you recently had COVID-19, you can wait to get a booster until 90 days after you first felt symptoms, or, if you had no symptoms, 90 days after your test date.
Review the CDC's guidance on how to decide if you should get a second booster. If you have questions, talk to your provider or call 212-COVID-19 (212-268-4319).
Separate from boosters, people ages 5 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (meaning they have a weakened immune system) should get an additional vaccine dose, as part of their primary vaccine series. They can get a third dose 28 days after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or their single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
If you got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, get the same vaccine type for your additional dose. If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you must get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for your additional dose.
This shot is intended to help people who may not have had a strong response to the first two shots due to a medical condition or treatment. People ages 12 and older who receive this shot should also get at least one booster when eligible.
The Health Department is ensuring there is fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. We are ensuring the communities hit hardest by the pandemic have access to the vaccine.
People with disabilities can get help making a vaccination appointment at an accessible site, traveling to their appointment and getting their shot. This kind of help is called a reasonable accommodation.
You can get a reasonable accommodation if you have difficulty with:
Though not a complete list, some common examples of a reasonable accommodation are: a wheelchair provided on arrival; ASL interpretation or tactile interpretation; a quiet space if loud spaces are overwhelming; and verbal or physical guidance to navigate the vaccination site.
You can request a reasonable accommodation when you schedule your vaccination, either through the City's online appointment scheduler or by calling 855-491-2667. You can also ask for a reasonable accommodation from staff at a City-run vaccination site, or email hubaccess@health.nyc.gov for more information.
You can also sign up for an in-home vaccination online or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
For more information, see:
General Information
Children, Pregnancy
After Vaccination
FDA Fact Sheets
Other City, State and Federal Government Websites